Monster Hunter: Rise. The best games released in 2021
Table of Contents
- Release date: March 26
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Our rating: 9/10
After the huge success of Monster Hunter: World, the series is returning to smaller machines, namely Nintendo Switch consoles. Smaller does not equal worse experience – it's still a very good production, offering a great combat system, well-designed locations and a large arsenal that can be upgraded. The plot is not the most important thing in a game about monster hunting. Here, our struggle with the beasts is justified by the mysterious Fury, driving the mastiffs literally – to fury – which is not very safe for the villagers of Kamura.
Monster Hunter: Rise is an open-world game that looks and performs surprisingly well for such a small console. Hunting is addictive, not only because you have to find the right way to kill each monster, but also due to the continuous development of available weapons. All of this results in a satisfying feeling of progression and encourages you to spend time with the game. And since the Switch's mobility means you can do it just about anywhere, it's all the more reason to see where those high ratings for MW: Rise.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
- Released: April 23
- Platforms: PC Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Our rating: 9/10
NieR Replicant isn't a game for everyone, but if anyone loves the NieR: Automata of 2017's NieR Replicant, they were certainly glad to get the first story in the universe. Not to mention, of course, veterans of the original version from the PlayStation 3, who can now experience it all again – in a more polished form. And if you consider the developers' reports of the number of copies sold, both found quite a few.
Nier Replicant turned out a solid remake. It not only improved the graphics and audio, but also added new story threads, characters, and above all improved the combat system, which is the heart of the gameplay here. Developing weapons and dueling bosses, however, don't overshadow a great story about two siblings, the bond between them, and the search for a cure for a mysterious illness of one of them. Brilliant creator Yoko Toro combined post-apocalyptic themes with a fairy tale, contemporary themes, and horror, encapsulating it all in an immersive RPG. As cherry on top, there's the fun formula and creative use of camera, which gives us the feeling of playing several genres in one game – from hack'n'slash, to platformer, to text-based! NieR is probably the best way to start your jRPG adventure.
